Early Career
Early in my career, I walked into a fast-growing consumer brand that looked like it was thriving from the outside. Behind the scenes, it was a different story: the books were a mess, there was no financial model, cash was running thin, and co-founders were pulling in different directions. I spent more than a few nights staring at spreadsheets at 2 a.m., trying to figure out how to make payroll while still fueling growth.
Over the next few years, we turned that chaos into clarity. I built the finance function from scratch, scaled revenue more than 20x, raised millions in debt to bridge working capital, and guided the company through a tense co-founder buyout that reset the path forward.
That experience taught me something I’ve carried into every role since: finance isn’t just about numbers — it’s about building clarity in moments of uncertainty.
Today
Today, I serve as Vice President of Finance (CFO) at Paka Apparel, guiding the company through a period of explosive growth, from $24M to over $50M in less than two years, with $100M+ on the horizon. Along the way, I’ve built the FP&A function from the ground up, negotiated multimillion-dollar debt financing, and led everything from shareholder reporting to multinational tax compliance.
My career hasn’t been a straight line. I’ve been a startup CFO, restaurant operator, author, and advisor. I’ve helped companies raise capital, expand into Costco and Walmart, navigate co-founder buyouts, and even shut down underperforming restaurants. Each chapter has taught me that finance is never just about numbers; it’s about building trust, aligning vision, and giving founders the clarity they need to grow.
The Professional Story
I’ve spent the past decade inside some of the most dynamic corners of the consumer world — apparel, CPG, hospitality, and SaaS — usually as the first finance hire tasked with building structure in chaos.
- Paka Apparel – VP of Finance (CFO). Built finance from scratch, drove record-breaking revenue and EBITDA, and sourced $5M in debt.
- Discover Night – CFO. Scaled from <$1M to $25M+, built a five-person finance team, and led expansion into Costco, Walmart, and QVC.
- Restaurant Groups – Advisor & CFO. From Oaxaca Taqueria to Happy Endings Hospitality, I’ve led unit-level FP&A, renegotiated leases, and driven revenue turnarounds.
- Early Career – Built a foundation across industries: at KatieRich Asset Management (through joint venture with Jacob’s Real Estate Advisors), I supported a $250M real estate portfolio of hotels, resorts, country clubs, and horse farms.
This mix of industries and roles gave me a unique perspective: finance isn’t a back-office function — it’s a growth engine when built right.
I earned a B.A. in Economics from UNC–Chapel Hill and later published QuickBooks for Restaurants: A Bookkeeping & Accounting Guide, now used by operators across the U.S.
What I Do Now
Most of my time is spent at the intersection of finance and growth, helping brands move from the messy middle to scalable, profitable enterprises.
- Scaling brands from $20M → $100M: Building finance infrastructures, FP&A, and profitability frameworks that keep growth sustainable.
- Advising founders: Serving as a sounding board and financial architect for CEOs across CPG, hospitality, and consumer brands.
- Exploring new ventures: Taking lessons learned from the CFO seat and applying them to entrepreneurial projects, investments, and partnerships.
At every level — whether it’s an apparel brand entering a new market, a restaurant group expanding locations, or a SaaS platform preparing for diligence — my role is the same: create clarity, design the roadmap, and make sure the numbers support the vision.
Beyond the Numbers
Work is a huge part of my life, but it isn’t the whole story.
When I’m not buried in models or board decks, you’ll find me… I’m endlessly curious, which means I’m always chasing new experiences and obsessions. In recent years that’s looked like:
Travel
From the Caribbean islands to Europe, I love experiencing the world one trip at a time. And closer to home, we often retreat to Virginia, where the slower pace of life helps us stay grounded and recharge away from the city. Travel reminds me that perspective is a choice.
Food
I’m a lifelong foodie. I’ve explored cuisines across the globe, but nothing beats living in the mecca of New York City - discovering new hole-in-the-wall spots, neighborhood gems, and restaurants that remind me why this city is the culinary capital of the world. Food is how I connect with people and cultures.
Fitness
Training is part of my rhythm. Jiu Jitsu keeps me grounded, F45 pushes me, and there’s nothing better than walking in Battery Park in the morning. Jiu Jitsu is my practice in humility, and movement is how I reset my mind.
Partnership
My fiancée Rachel and I are co-founders in life and planning our wedding in April 2026. She reminds me that even the boldest ventures are built on partnership and trust.
Home Life
Our two pets — Biscuits, a French Bulldog, and Theo, a Siberian cat — keep us laughing, grounded, and constantly entertained. They’re my daily reminder not to take life too seriously.
Writing
I use writing as a means to process and share, from tactical financial advice to reflections on leadership, growth, and risk-taking. Writing forces me to slow down, reflect, and create clarity for others and myself.
Author
I’m the author of QuickBooks for Restaurants: A Bookkeeping & Accounting Guide, which has become a practical handbook for 15,000+ independent operators across the country. My goal in writing was simple: to demystify finance for restaurant owners who want to spend more time running their business and less time lost in their books.
I continue to write today about scaling consumer brands, what it feels like to sit in the CFO seat of a fast-moving startup, and the lessons I’ve learned from both successes and failures.
My writing lives here, on my site, and increasingly in long-form essays and newsletters where I share behind-the-scenes perspectives on growth, capital, and leadership.
Entrepreneur
I’m an entrepreneur at heart. Over the past decade, I’ve founded, scaled, and sold multiple ventures across consumer products, SaaS, and digital platforms. Some I built to exit, others I still advise, and a few remain in the exciting, early phase of building from scratch.
What ties them all together is the part I love most: starting from zero. Whether it’s architecting a financial model, developing a product roadmap, or putting together the first scrappy team, I’m at my best when I’m helping transform an idea into a real business.
A few of the brands I’ve created or helped shape are highlighted in my portfolio – from digital marketplaces to CPG launches to tech-enabled platforms. Each one has reinforced my belief that entrepreneurship isn’t about chasing a single “big win,” but about building, learning, and creating momentum across many chapters.
Speaker
I’ve had the privilege of sharing my experiences with entrepreneurs, investors, and operators — from intimate boardrooms to larger industry events. My talks focus on the finance of growth: how to scale responsibly, build systems before chaos sets in, and use numbers as a tool for clarity, not confusion.
I speak about:
- Building finance functions from scratch at growth-stage companies
- Lessons learned scaling restaurant and hospitality groups
- The realities of being a startup CFO (what founders should know before they hire one)
- Why profitability is not the enemy of growth
If you’re interested in having me speak at your event, reach out today.
Inquiries
I welcome opportunities to:
- Advise founders and CEOs building in CPG, hospitality, or consumer brands
- Collaborate on stage – keynotes, fireside chats, panels, or workshops
- Write and publish pieces on finance, growth, and entrepreneurship
- Connect with other operators who believe that financial rigor and entrepreneurial creativity are two sides of the same coin
Contact me about opportunities.
Quick Facts
- Favorite destinations: Nevis, Mallorca, London, Montreal
- Foodie obsessions: NYC hole-in-the-walls > Michelin stars
- Pets: Biscuits (Frenchie) + Theo (Siberian cat)
- Fitness staples: Jiu Jitsu, F45, Battery Park walks
- Books on repeat: Principles by Ray Dalio, Setting the Table by Danny Meyer
- Daily ritual: Black coffee before emails
- Current focus: Scaling Paka Apparel + advising founders
- Life philosophy: Finance isn’t about tracking the past — it’s about designing the future
Happy Clients
“Working with Zac has been an absolute game-changer for our company. His deep knowledge of restaurant finance, coupled with his professionalism and approachable nature, makes him an invaluable asset. Zac not only brings a wealth of financial expertise to the table but also a sense of partnership—you truly feel he’s in your corner, dedicated to your success.”
President – Neomonde
“I cannot recommend Zac enough. Zac is the rare type of “finance guy” that also intimately understands the nuances of building a startup. He has a wealth of knowledge around traditional financial management strategies, and the necessary creativity to manage an evolving startup’s capital needs. As a founder, you deal with a lot of uncertainty and risk. Having a guy like Zac in your corner helps to clarify your path, and he just makes success feel a little more do-able!”
CEO & Founder – Mully
“Working with Zac has been like having an in-house CFO. He goes beyond the spreadsheets to make sure he understands the strategic objectives of our business and helps build a financial strategy that aligns with those objectives. His work is always accurate, he’s time efficient, and easy to communicate with. We plan to keep using him as our virtual CFO for as long as we can.”
CEO – Bark Buildings
“Zachary has been an important member of our team since starting last year. When Zachary was hired he was tasked with building an accounting and finance system from scratch, starting with a large volume of unsorted data. He has exceeded our expectations and has been a pleasure to work with. He is responsive and clear in all communications.”
CEO/Founder – Rebaid
